Golden Touch: How Jack Nicklaus Stole the Show and a Green Jacket at the 1986 Masters

Sports Illustrated • March 31, 2026 • sports

Key Points:

At the 1986 Masters, 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus defied expectations by winning his 18th major title, despite being largely overlooked and ranked 160th on the PGA Tour money list that season.
Nicklaus’s comeback was partly motivated by a critical newspaper article that doubted his chances, which his family used as inspiration during the tournament.
CBS initially gave little coverage to Nicklaus during the final round, focusing instead on other contenders, but his surge starting at the 9th hole, including a pivotal eagle putt on the 15th green, electrified the crowd and shifted attention to him.
The iconic moments included Nicklaus’s clutch birdie putt on the 17th hole to take the lead, witnessed by his son and caddie, Jack Nicklaus II, who shared a unique perspective on the historic victory.
Nicklaus’s final round of 65, with a strong finish under pressure, secured his victory over top players like Greg Norman and Tom Kite, marking one of golf’s greatest comebacks and cementing his legacy at Augusta National.

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